Hisham Matar - In the Country of Men
Libyan writer Hisham Matar talks to James Naughtie and a group of readers about his acclaimed first novel In the Country of Men, which was nominated for the Man Booker Prize 2006.
James Naughtie and readers talk to Hisham Matar about his gripping debut novel In The Country Of Men.
This international bestseller is set in Colonel Gaddafi's Libya of 1979, as the narrator Suleiman looks back on his childhood summer and tries to makes sense of the bewildering world around him. His best friend's father disappears and is next seen on state television at a public execution, a mysterious man sits outside the house all day, gives him sweets and asks for the names of his father's friends; and it seems his father has finally disappeared for good.
Hisham Matar explains now the novel is not autobiographical but that he remembers that time well, how life in Libya 'went indoors' with cinemas closed and access to bookshops restricted. He remembers how fears, secrets and betrayal threatened individuals and families. He also talks about how his own father disappeared in the 1980s.
In The Country Of Men was shortlisted for the 2006 Man Booker Prize.
Presenter : James Naughtie
Interviewed guest : Hisham Matar
Producer : Dymphna Flynn
June's Bookclub choice is Do No Harm by Henry Marsh.
Last on
More episodes
Previous
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | James Naughtie |
| Interviewed Guest | Hisham Matar |
| Producer | Dymphna Flynn |
Broadcasts
- Sun 3 May 2015 16:00主播大秀 Radio 4 FM
- Thu 7 May 2015 15:30主播大秀 Radio 4
How many of these 100 Novels have you read?
After a passionate debate, our panel has come up with this surprising literary selection.
Bookclub at 20
Sebastian Faulks, Naomi Alderman and more select favourite editions of the programme
Sample our books and authors Clip Collection
Interviews, previews and reviews
Short stories to keep
The fiction podcast featuring the best stories from the UK's finest writers
Books
Celebrating reading and the 100 novels that have shaped our world.
Podcast
-
![]()
Bookclub
Led by James Naughtie, readers talk to acclaimed authors about their best-known novels
